South Africa head into the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt with optimism tempered by frustration, as coach Raymond Mdaka prepares his side for a difficult campaign marked by the absence of several key players.
With just days remaining before their opening match against the host nation in Cairo, the Amajita coach has acknowledged the disruptions to his squad while maintaining a firm belief in the players at his disposal.
Among the notable absentees are Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Shandre Campbell—both unavailable due to club commitments—while the injury to Mabena has further thinned South Africa’s options.
“We don’t have Shandre in the starting squad,” Mdaka said. “Shandre’s availability was discussed weeks ago with his club coach, who made it clear that he was part of the senior team. So releasing him was always going to be unlikely.”
The blow was compounded by the late unavailability of Mbokazi, who played a vital role in South Africa’s campaign at the COSAFA U20 Championship. “We believed we would have Mbokazi available,” Mdaka added. “But that’s no longer the case, and it’s unfortunate.”
Despite these challenges, the South African team produced an emphatic response in their final preparatory outing, easing past the Sekhukhune United reserve team with a convincing 5-0 victory.
The result provided a much-needed morale boost ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested Group A, which features Egypt, Zambia, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone.
While disappointed by the disruption to his plans, Mdaka expressed understanding of the unpredictable nature of tournament football.
He also addressed the changes to their warm-up schedule, which was initially set to include a friendly against Congo.
The plan was scrapped after changes to the tournament’s location from Ivory Coast to Egypt disrupted arrangements for multiple teams.
“Originally, we were supposed to play Congo,” Mdaka explained. “But they had to revise their plans too, because the move to Egypt affected everyone involved.”
The South African coach remains pragmatic about the situation and focused on the task ahead. “As a coach, you have to accept that circumstances will change,” he noted.
“You adapt quickly, adjust the plan, and keep going.”
Sunday’s opener at Cairo International Stadium will test the Amajita’s resolve against a formidable Egyptian side backed by home support.
However, the reward is significant—the top four teams in the tournament will earn a place at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Mdaka, while clearly frustrated by the challenges, radiated calm and quiet confidence as he looked ahead. “We are satisfied with our current situation,” he stated.
“There are things we cannot control, but we believe in the players we have.”
That belief will be tested from the first whistle in Cairo, but if the Amajita can channel the same focus and energy shown in their final friendly, they may yet prove a surprise package in a tournament already full of unpredictability.
